That Was Jesus

This is us.

I was attending a gathering of church leaders a couple years ago who were discussing, among other things, how our youth should be staying away from people and homes who were not very spiritual. It seems that there was a new young couple in the church who was interested in hosting the rotating youth meetings one evening. Since the couple didn't "have their act together", the leaders thought it was best to keep the youth away from them.

And then I opened my mouth.

In my opinion, when we constantly reinforce the notion to our young Christians that they should stay away from "those people", they grow up to be the type of Christians who stay away from those kinds of people. If Christianity were all about moralistic separatism, they might have a point. However, the example of Jesus teaches us to love and serve our neighbor (and, God forbid, sinners too!).

When I pointed out to the gathered leaders that separatism is not healthy nor Christlike, one particular leader responded by saying, "That was Jesus. This is us."

Interesting.

Interesting, but wrong. If we call ourselves "Christians" or followers of Christ, doesn't the name imply that we follow Jesus? Oh, sure, we emphasize how we should not sin just as Jesus didn't sin, but aren't we missing the bigger picture if it's only about what we don't do? To follow Christ along the Way implies movement not just restraint.

Should we not be teaching our young how to be better neighbors, how to love and serve those (and even be-friend those) who don't believe or live like we do? Should we not, by our examples, be demonstrating how to genuinely connect and hang with, love and serve those who are not like us? Should we not be teaching them the stories of Jesus with the prostitutes, the Samaritans, the poor, the outcasts, the adulterers, and the Gentiles and then seek to follow his example? Should we not be showing them how to bring life and mercy to others without coming at them from a position of superiority or demand of duty?

Today is being celebrated as Palm Sunday in many churches across the world, celebrating the moment the triumphant Christ entered Jerusalem on a donkey met by palm waiving crowds declaring their adoration for the Messiah. A few days later, the Hosanna's hushed and the crowds dispersed. I am sure that many of those who witnessed his entry into Jerusalem on that day also witnessed his execution a few days later.

Their voices were silent.

I am not sure I am any different when I declare his praises on Sunday but do not walk with him to the places and people he wants to go the rest of the week. It's easy for us to only walk with him so far. I think he begs more of me than my words, and I know he asks for something different than my moral outrage. He delighted in people and gave the best of himself because he loved them.

That was Jesus. This is us.